Ginger Root - Jamaican, Organic

Jamaican Ginger Root can be grown in containers or warm climates for cooking and health benefits. This heirloom plant has been used for centuries as a spice and herbal medicine. Also called African ginger.

Uses : Jamaican ginger is versatile and can be incorporated into various dishes, drinks, and teas. Use fresh ginger by peeling and slicing it to enhance the flavor of soups, curries, stir-fries, or smoothies. It can also be added to Jamaican dishes such as jerk chicken, brown stewed chicken, and ginger beer pulled pork.

common names & nomenclature
The genus name zingiber is from Old English gingifer, from Medieval Latin gingiber, from Latin zingiberi, from Greek zingiberis.

Growing : Grow ginger in a hoop house, greenhouse, or conservatory. Use a larger container or plant it under taller crops like hothouse tomatoes for sun protection.

Ginger is a perennial root that grows both indoors and outdoors. It has a green stalk with narrow leaves and blooms in white or yellow.

Ginger will do better the closer you can come to replicating its natural tropical home. Warm temperatures in the 70° to 90°F (21° to 32°C) range, moisture, rich and loamy soil, and a little dappled shade make ginger happiest. It should be planted with protection from strong winds. Also, ginger cannot tolerate standing water or completely drying out.

Ginger does very well in a hoop house, greenhouse, or conservatory, if you are so lucky. Plant it under the shelter of a taller crop like your hothouse tomatoes to give it a break from the intense sun. See how to grow ginger indoors.

Ginger can also be grown well in large containers and is particularly suited to grow bags. The rhizomes grow wide rather than deep, so a container with a large diameter is required—at least 12 inches wide for a single plant. 

Whether in the ground or container, ginger loves soil rich in organic matter. A peat and wood bark-based, soilless medium with a little sand mixed in will support container plants. In the ground, add lots of compost. Organic fertilizers and worm castings are also good choices.

When to Plant Ginger

Plant ginger in spring as soon as nighttime temperatures are above 55°F (13°C). For direct planting of rhizomes in the garden, soil temperatures should be warmer than 75°F (24°C). In many regions in North America, this is mid-spring.

It does take about 8 to 10 months for ginger to mature, although the rhizomes can be harvested at any time after they start to form. To maximize your growing time, you can also pre-sprout ginger indoors in late winter.